Royals upend Indians

Kansas City, Mo.  Luke Hochevar recovered from a shaky start to earn his first win since May 26 and Yuniesky Betancourt stole home, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

The top pick in the 2006 amateur draft, Hochevar (6-5) gave up three runs in the first two innings but none after that. He allowed eight hits over six innings, striking out five and walking one.

Hochevar missed nearly three months this season with a right elbow sprain.

Mitch Maier had a two-run single in Kansas City’s four-run second. Betancourt walked with the bases loaded to force in Kila Ka’aihue with the first run of the inning. With Betancourt on third, Maier broke from first and Indians pitcher Josh Tomlin ran toward him. Betancourt took off for home and by the time Tomlin turned around and fired to the plate, Betancourt slid in ahead of the tag to give the Royals a 4-3 advantage.

It was Betancourt’s first stolen base of the season and the Royals’ first steal of home since Alex Gordon did it on Aug. 2, 2009, at Tampa Bay.

Ka’aihue doubled home Billy Butler and Wilson Betemit in the sixth.

Joakim Soria worked the ninth for his 39th save in 41 chances. He has converted 32 straight opportunities.

Tomlin (4-4) went five-plus innings, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks to snap his three-game winning streak.